Women in Kilifi County are urging health authorities to recognise and include female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) in reproductive health services, after new research revealed that the disease is often misdiagnosed and overlooked. The appeal comes after our recent study found that 320 out of 2,000 women screened across hospitals and clinics in the county had […]

What you need to know: FGS is characterised by a range of gynecological complications, including lesions, vaginal bleeding, pain, and infertility. Ms Timina Ogot is all smiles as we settle for an interview on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.  She is eager to tell the story of her battle with a medical condition that health experts were […]

‘Menstruation, teenage pregnancy, child marriage: these are issues that parents and teachers are not really able to talk about – and young people have real questions!’ Mariam Mhina works with Tai, a youth-led NGO based in Dar es Salam which uses storytelling and technology to empower young people.  Since 2021 Tai has been the Tanzanian partner […]

This International Women’s Day our colleague Meenakshi Monga explains that it’s a time to celebrate progress, but also an opportunity to confront the persistent inequalities that hold women back. One crucial, often overlooked, area is the gender-specific impacts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on women. AMR is a growing global threat, posing serious challenges to health, and its consequences influence […]

The Transforming the Community Health Workforce program is a unique mutual learning exchange between local government in Homa Bay County in Kenya and Liverpool, UK. Unlike traditional South-to-South collaborations, this initiative fosters South-to-North and North-to-South learning, enabling both regions to share knowledge and best practices. The exchange is jointly hosted by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and LVCT Health, a […]

“I am happy now that I know what the problem is:” Braving to carry triple burden of HIV, cervical cancer and Female Genital Schistosomiasis. Introduction “The foul smell forces me to bathe at least twice a day. If I’m on a safari, I must put on pads so that it doesn’t leak out. The discharge […]

Let’s talk about a health condition that has been behind the veil for way too long: Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS). This condition has been tangled in a web of myths, superstition and misinformation, especially in areas with a high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis (also called urinary bilharzia). What is FGS? FGS is a long-term complication […]

Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is a silent adversary – a hidden Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that debilitates women and girls in endemic regions. FGS hides in plain sight as it is misunderstood, misdiagnosed and shrouded in stigma. Yet, there is an opportunity for transformation. Community health literacy campaigns are at the heart of this transformation. […]

At 43 years old, a Clinical Officer at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, became more than a service provider, she became a patient searching for answers. She had endured lower abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and spotting. Despite numerous hospital visits, including the renowned Kenyatta National Hospital, she found no respite. She got […]

Aisha*, a 34-year-old woman from Kwale County, whose resilience and determination turned a painful struggle into a story of hope and healing. Aisha’s journey with Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is one of struggle, hope and the transformative power of the right diagnosis and treatment. The Beginning of the Struggle In 2022, Aisha’s life took a […]